Australia, Oceania & Pacific

Great Barrier Reef in December

The wet season and cyclone season begin, stingers are present, and the Christmas holidays drive up prices.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), wet season starting

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef — Great Barrier ReefPhoto: Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Great Barrier Reef. The wet season and cyclone season begin, stingers are present, and the Christmas holidays drive up prices.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), wet season starting
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What December is like in Great Barrier Reef

December marks the start of the wet season and cyclone season. It is hot and humid, with highs near 88F (31C), more frequent storms, and stingers in the water. Christmas holidays push prices up and fill resorts, though reef trips still run on most days. Visibility can dip once the heavier rains start.

It suits families who can only travel over the summer holidays and want warm water and a festive break. Book refundable where you can. If you have a choice of dates, September or October give you calmer seas, clearer water, and no stingers, often at lower prices.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Great Barrier Reef this month.

Coral spawning chances

Some reefs still spawn in December, a few nights after the full moon. It varies by year and cannot be promised.

Turtles nesting at Mon Repos

Loggerhead nesting continues at Mon Repos near Bundaberg, with evening ranger tours for families.

Low Isles and Green Island

These calm, shallow islands close to Port Douglas and Cairns are easy half-day trips for young kids when the outer reef is rough.

What to pack for December

Rash guards in kids' and adult sizes for under stinger suits
A light rain shell
Reef-safe sunscreen and hats
Travel insurance that covers cyclone disruption

Our timing tip

Book reef trips for the week before Christmas rather than between Christmas and New Year, when boats and prices peak.

Book Great Barrier Reef for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Great Barrier Reef
Opens a hotel search for Great Barrier Reef in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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Vacation rentals in Great Barrier Reef
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Great Barrier Reef
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Great Barrier Reef for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Coral spawning

A few nights after the full moon, roughly October to December, varying by reef

Mass coral spawning releases clouds of eggs and sperm into the water. Timing depends on water temperature and moon phase, so it cannot be promised in advance.

Stinger season

Roughly November to May, sometimes starting in October

Box jellyfish and Irukandji can be present. Wear the stinger suits operators provide and swim at netted beaches on the coast.

Turtle nesting and hatching at Mon Repos

Nesting roughly November to January; hatching roughly January to March

Ranger-guided evening tours let visitors watch loggerhead turtles nest and hatchlings head to the sea. Book ahead.

Things to do in Great Barrier Reef

Full guide

An outer reef day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas

The outer reef has clearer water than inshore sites. Port Douglas boats reach the Agincourt Reefs; Cairns boats cover many outer reefs. Go on a calm-forecast day.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet

Pure silica sand swirling with turquoise tidal channels. Time Hill Inlet's lookout for low tide for the famous patterns.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

A liveaboard to the Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole

Multi-day dive trips reach remote reefs few day boats visit. Dwarf minke whale encounters happen here around June and July.

Tickets and tours →

Heart Reef by scenic flight

The heart-shaped reef can only be seen from the air. Seaplane and helicopter flights run from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.

Tickets and tours →

Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation

Ancient rainforest meeting the reef. Best in the dry season when roads and the Daintree River ferry run smoothly.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lady Elliot Island

A small coral cay at the southern tip of the reef, renowned for manta rays and turtles, reachable by light aircraft.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Choose September or October over July: dry-season conditions, warmer water, and fewer southern Australians on their winter escape.
Book smaller-capacity boats or a liveaboard; the biggest pontoon trips carry hundreds of passengers to the same sites.
Stay in Port Douglas rather than Cairns if you want a quieter base with quicker access to the Agincourt and Low Isles reefs.
Avoid the Easter, late June to mid July, late September, and Christmas to January school holiday periods when Australian families fill resorts.

Know before you go

Reef trips operate year-round, but cyclones and strong winds can cancel departures on short notice, especially from December to April.
In stinger season, coastal beaches in tropical Queensland rely on stinger nets for swimming; some nets are removed in heavy weather.
The Daintree region's roads and river crossings can be affected by flooding in the wet season.
Reef tours include the Environmental Management Charge (the reef tax), which funds reef management; it is collected by operators.

Great Barrier Reef in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Great Barrier Reef?

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Great Barrier Reef. The wet season and cyclone season begin, stingers are present, and the Christmas holidays drive up prices.

What is the weather like in Great Barrier Reef in December?

Hot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), wet season starting.

Is Great Barrier Reef crowded in December?

Great Barrier Reef is busy in December, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Great Barrier Reef in December?

Coral spawning (a few nights after the full moon, roughly october to december, varying by reef); Stinger season (roughly november to may, sometimes starting in october); Turtle nesting and hatching at Mon Repos (nesting roughly november to january; hatching roughly january to march).